Over 90% of public corruption linked to contracts, procurement – EFCC chair

EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, on Thursday said more than 90% of public corruption cases under investigation are tied to contracts and procurement processes.

Olukoyede spoke when the top management team of TETFund, led by its Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, paid him a courtesy visit at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, quoted Olukoyede as saying, “More than 90 per cent of public corruption that we are facing or we are investigating happens to be in the areas of contract and procurement activities.

“So we will be willing to collaborate much more with you and take the relationship to a greater height.’’

Olukoyede also called on TETFund is to be more devoted to the assessment and monitoring of infrastructural projects it finances in Universities and Polytechnics across the country.

He said, “I want to encourage you to take a greater interest in the execution of some of your projects because we have had some petitions on the non-execution of your projects. I am sure you have a project assessment and monitoring department or committee, let them put more energy into whatever they do so that you don’t just advance money for projects and contractors will take it and walk away.”

Olukoyede further urged the TETFund’s boss to thread the path of probity and accountability, knowing that much trust has been placed in him with public funds.

He said, “So much trust has been placed on your shoulders vis-a-viz the source of your revenue, which is taxpayers’ money. Trust is a burden, a big one indeed, particularly when you are rady to be focused and do the right thing.

“There will be distractions here and there particularly in the environment where we found ourselves, where people are used to cutting corners. But the onus is on us to do the right thing. So I want to encourage you to always do the right thing because eyes are on you.”

Speaking, Ochono assured the commission of TETFund’s support and requested collaboration, especially in guiding the path of managers of resources in Nigerian tertiary institutions against financial wrongdoings.

He said, “We want to give you the support that you should get. We all know that you are doing the right thing and we encourage you to continue to do so. As an institution that is in the course of ensuring the judicious use of our resources, we want to renew our request for greater collaboration.

‘’Because of procurement infractions, we partnered with the BPP, so we are appealing, knowing that you have a training school where we can bring leaders of our institutions, their bursars and even their procurement people so that they can listen to your experts and learn how to prevent financial infractions.”